In an ISN/IPM exclusive, friend of the show and multiple award-winning SFF author Cat Valente returns! In her previous appearance we briefly discussed how the video game epic Mass Effect liberally borrows from Babylon 5, and so when the Legendary Edition of Mass Effect dropped we knew we had to have her back to dive deeper into the canon that she has actually significantly contributed to.

We discuss Cat's books, our approach to the games, and why Garrus fits a friend-shaped hole in our lives. Oh, and also how Picard is literally just Mass Effect.

Cat’s Twitter: @catvalente

Cat’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/catvalente/.

Twitter thread:

https://twitter.com/catvalente/status/1371874910314840072

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

So...uh... some monkey paw somewhere is curling up like a Centauri appendage in Antarctica.

JMS's comments from RIGHT BEFORE WE STARTED RECORDING jeez.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

In which the rate of Justen Headphones Moments is drastically reduced. This is it. The big one. This is PODCAST WITHOUT END. In the first half of War Without End, we discuss the principle of Occam’s Razor as applied to “time travel or deepfake”, question what Sinclair sees in Garibaldi, and threaten to call pest control for an infestation of Zathrii. In the back half, we give an important PSA about talking about time travel with your romantic partner(s), rename octopi as “Terran Octo-Dick Fish”, and realize that Marcus operates on D&D player logic and rolls 20s. More seriously, we discuss the role of this episode in the broader narrative arc of the show and as a send-off for both Sinclair and O’Hare, what makes a time travel episode work, and moments of transition vs moments of revelation.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

In which we learn that Franklin might not have time to sleep but absolutely has time to wax his chest. “Interludes and Examinations” features Ivanova dooming the station via opening monologue, Kosh force choking Sheridan after being called on his cryptic bullshit, Londo having enough big tentacle energy to call out Morden, and the audience finally seeing that the Shadows are actually menacing and will absolutely shank you in a hallway. We also start a more serious deep dive into Franklin’s addiction plotline, and the cast stans Dr. Hobbs, the only person thus far willing to stand up to both Franklin and Garibaldi.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

In which the cast are joined by Scott Paladin for even more discussion of Centauri dicks, and also Starfuries. “Ship of Tears” features Fox News, err, ISN, returning to the air, G’Kar’s personal Gethsemane moment, and the cast noticing the parallels between Bester and Magneto. In the back half of the episode, Justen and Scott throw hands over the merits of the Mark 2 (“Thunderbolt”) Starfury, Scott teaches us everything we ever wanted to know about anatomy (including front butts), and we pose what may be the most important question of the season: If you’re getting it on with a Vorlon, do you see whatever genitalia you think are the most perfect?

Scott can be found on twitter @scottpaladin and online at scottpaladin.com, as cohost on the Monster Mechanics Podcast @monstermpod and monsterpod.org, and as writer/director/editor on the Breathing Space, Fading Frontier audio drama @BreathingXSpacebreathingspace.lawofnames.com.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

In which the cast are joined by Josie for some extensive discussion of Centauri dicks. This episode is dedicated to the post office. “Sic Transit Vir” features Sheridan showing off his extremely dubious cooking skills, the introduction of new cuisine to the station staff breakfast table, and Londo facing off against his two worst enemies: customer service hell and an insect. In “A Late Delivery from Avalon” we learn that Narns get absolutely tanked on Yoohoo, Karen Garibaldi takes on the post office, Jude goes deeeeep on sword taxonomy and realizes that roman numerals are hard, and we realize that in the B5 universe the British are basically Klingons.

Josie can be found on twitter at @DragonGirlJosie and online at josie-art.com, and on the Magpies Podcast @clever_corvids and clevercorvids.net.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

In which we learn that both Jude and Ana hate truffle oil (Zathras would like to note that truffle oil is GARBAGE). “Severed Dreams” features Karen Mollari being flagged for extra customs screening and wanting to talk to a manager, G’Kar carrying a Minbari like he carries the whole goddamned show, and our many feelings about Sheridan’s emotional range. In “Ceremonies of Light and Dark”, Marcus wonders if there’s a reason he’s still alive / when everyone who loves him has died, Garibaldi meets his ultimate nemesis New Jersey Clippy, Londo borrows a bottle of poison from a Vin Diesel movie, and we all love Delenn’s fantastic mom energy.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

In which Justen nearly ruins our hatred of Franklin. “Messages from Earth” is the start of this season’s quadriptych (yes, we had to look that up), and is definitely not a Star Trek: Voyager plotline. In the episode, Marcus proves that he is as adept with a glue stick as he is with a fighting stick, we learn that Minbari do not sleep as we humans do, and we all wonder what happens when you put a chicken into an O’Neill cylinder. In “Point of No Return”, NightWatch gets its comeuppance in a plot that revolves around Zack’s stupidity, Majel Barrett delights Ana with more Centauri prophecy shit, and Ta’Lon reminds us that while all Bajas Blast, not all blasts are Baja.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

In which we wonder why Bester doesn’t sense “a great sense of personal danger” everywhere he goes. “Dust to Dust” features the return of Bester (all Cop and no Psi this time) for a working date with Garibaldi, while G’Kar’s busy day includes showing off his new coat, learning that Londo was the first domino, and having a vision while Kosh watches like Ceiling Cat. In “Exogenesis” Corwin is promoted and has actual scenes outside of C&C, Marcus uses the time-honored “spring-loaded can of head trauma” fighting tactic, and we all pour one out for Corwin’s coffee.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii

CW for discussion of serial killers, capital punishment, graphic violence, body horror. In which we all cry over “Passing Through Gethsemane.” This episode brings us the return of the pixel art squid ship, discussion of the Telepath Haircut and its relationship to the Wolverine Haircut, plus Lennier, Delenn, and Brother Edward pulling an all-nighter. Most of the discussion is devoted to the heavier themes of the episode, though, including mind-wipes as a utilitarian death penalty; the relationships between memory, responsibility, morality, faith, and forgiveness; the framing of the episode as a tragedy rather than a thriller; and the cinematic effectiveness of showing the results of violence rather than the violence itself.

Connect with the show at @babylonpodject

Help us keep the lights on via our Patreon!

Justen can be found at @justenwrites

Ana can be found at @The_Mianaai, and also made our show art.

Both Ana and Justen can also be found on The Compleat Discography, a Discworld re-read podcast.

Jude Vais can be found at @eremiticjude. His other work can be found at Athrabeth - a Tolkien Podcast and at Garbage of the Five Rings.

"The Voice" of the Babylon Podject is provided by Alyson Grauer, who can be found at @dreamstobecome

Clips from the original show remain copyrighted by Warner Bros, Inc. and are used under the Fair Use doctrine.

Music attribution:

The Descent by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This show is edited and produced by Aaron Olson, who can be found at @urizenxvii